Mommy Mondays: 18 weeks

So I'll probably take over Mommy Mondays for the next 20something weeks with pregnancy updates...I think.  We'll have to see if I really want to make it a weekly thing or not.

But for right now, I'll start at the beginning.  Making the baby - the non-explicit, family friendly version.

The first time I got pregnant, we were successful immediately.  It was almost as if we merely breathed the thought into the ether and it happened.  Not the case this time.  Now - I don't want to sound dramatic, because we got pregnant in a normal, respectable amount of time, and I wouldn't even begin to compare with the hundreds of women for whom getting pregnant is an ordeal.  But it was still disappointing every month we weren't successful.  In my heart of hearts, I knew that we got lucky the first time, and that we were almost guaranteed not to be so lucky this time around, but that didn't make it any easier.  And although the rational side of me could say that it takes a healthy couple an average of a year to get pregnant, and each month in the best of circumstances you only have a 20% chance, that anxious, nagging little voice still echoes with the thought that maybe there's something wrong.  

In fact, the month I ended up getting pregnant I was pretty sure I wasn't.  Every month prior I had terrible "pregnancy" (PMS) symptoms.  Sore boobs, nausea, dizziness, the works.  And every month my period showed up right as expected.  But that month?  Nothing.  In fact, the night before I took the pregnancy test I was having terrible cramping.  A sure sign of my impending period.  As you may (or may not) remember, I use charting to both avoid pregnancy and to get pregnant.  So when my temperature continued to remain high, I decided to take a test.  I used a Walmart brand test, figuring if it was negative, I was only out $.88 - less that a dollar.  And I watched as the entire thing turned purple, which didn't seem like a good sign to me.  But 3 minutes later I looked and the purple had all disappeared, except for a line in the "positive" window.  I showed it to Thatboy who didn't trust it.  After all, it was an 88 cent test.  So I took another.  A digital test that read "pregnant" or "not pregnant."  One guess as to what that one said.  And this time Thatboy believed it.  

And that's how we got to where we are today.

 

 

Total weight gain/loss: +5

Next Appointment: Today!  Then again on Thursday for our ultrasound.
Maternity clothes? Not exactly.  Most of my pants don't button, so those get the belly band treatment.  Skirts are still fine.  And I've had to retire most of my button up shirts as of last week.  I went through this week and traded out my shirt drawer for the maternity shirts I had packed away in the garage, but haven't had to use them yet.
Stretch marks: nada.
Sleep: First time around I had terrible pregnancy-induced insomnia.  This time around has been much better, but the past week has found me having difficulty sleeping in the mornings.
Best moment this week: Getting the nursery painted!  I love the color.  I love it so much!
Movement: According to my friends, yes.  Everything is so different with this pregnancy.  Maybe I'll touch on that more next week.  But the first time, I actually FELT the movement.  As though someone was touching me.  And it felt like a fish swimming.  This time I feel like I'm hearing the movement, rather than feeling it (like when you hear your stomach rumble).  And it sounds like someone is blowing bubbles in milk.  Which apparently is movement according to everyone.  And I've been writing it off as gas.
Food cravings: Nothing

Food aversions: Nothing
Gender: Not finding out

Belly Button in or out: In.  But it never popped last time, so I'm not expecting it to this time.
What I miss: Being able to wear some of my new Chanukah presents which I've tucked away for when I'm not pregnant anymore.

What I am looking forward to: The ultrasound on Thursday.

Contractions: Nope.  Last time around I didn't get them until they were induced through medication.  Part of me is kind of hoping to actually have those moments this time.

 Milestones:
-Baby is now bigger and heavier than the placenta!

- Baby's eyes and ears are now in their final position and the eyes move beneath the eyelids
- Baby's skin is covered in lanugo

- Movement!

- Baby's fingers and toes are fully developed and finger prints are forming